Cyprus opposes sanctions against Russia

Cyprus is against the European Union imposing sanctions on Russia over events in Ukraine, President Nicos Anastasiades said on Thursday.

Cyprus is against the European Union imposing sanctions on Russia over events in Ukraine, President Nicos Anastasiades said on Thursday.

"It is impossible to achieve a positive result by military means or through sanctions," Anastasiades told a TASS news conference. "Issues should be resolved exclusively through diplomatic channels and dialogue, while respecting the territorial integrity."

"We do not come into conflict with the European Union. Each EU member state has the right to express its opinion freely. It is not forbidden," he said. "Cyprus is against sanctions on Russia. And we are not the only ones among European countries who have taken such a stance. There is a whole group of other states opposing the sanctions."

"It is necessary to respect the rights of citizens in any country," the Cypriot leader said, noting the importance of internal dialogue in Ukraine to prevent a civil war there.